Academic Advisor

Do you want to help individuals achieve their educational, career, and personal goals? Do you aspire to work with an Advising team that is nationally recognized for excellence? The University of Southern Maine (USM) is seeking applicants for a full-time Academic Advisor who is dedicated to student success and our Student Focused Every Day service promise. We are looking for individuals who have demonstrated experience supporting students, values our teaching and learning approach to advising, and embraces developmental academic advising.

Each new advisor experiences a team-based onboarding experience, including a mentor, as they learn the many facets of the position.

Advising at USM has an “advising as teaching and learning” philosophy. Academic Advisors work in partnership with faculty advisors/mentors and other members of the institution to ensure the student is supported in all aspects critical to the student’s success, including services related to orientation, registration, core curriculum, assessment of learning and degree planning. The Advisor facilitates student engagement in academic and early career planning activities, and the life of the university by employing a strengths-based advising approach grounded in student development theory.

The Advisor serves as the primary contact for students from matriculation to junior status and is a resource through graduation for undergraduate students and as a resource for all graduate students.

Academic Advisor is responsible for providing direct academic advising and support to students (online and face-to-face) through academic and early career planning, learning strategy support, graduation planning, and monitoring student progress toward degree. The primary purpose of this position is to enhance the student experience and contribute to improved retention and graduation rates for USM students. Demonstrated experience in working effectively with diverse student populations and first‑generation students is a plus.

In addition, this position will utilize best practices to support first‑generation and economically disadvantaged students.

Candidates should expect to work in a fast‑paced environment; learn and communicate continually changing and detailed information and maintain accurate, up‑to‑date student records for a large caseload. This person requires collaboration with advisors, faculty, and success partners across the institution to create a welcoming and supportive network for students.

This is a full‑time position on our Gorham campus with an annual salary of up to $45,045.

The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Nights and weekends as needed. Some travel to other USM campuses in Portland and Lewiston may be required, as well as some other in‑state travel as necessary.

The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full‑time and eligible part‑time employees that includes (but is not limited to):

• 14 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• Low‑cost short‑term disability insurance and employer‑paid long‑term disability insurance.
• Employer‑paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
• A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary.

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands‑on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student‑centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond.

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